During the cold winter months, you may often see ice crystals on the trees, windows, and sidewalks. Try creating your own winter crystal scene using a simple Epsom salt solution.
What you Need:
Epsom salts
bowl
salt or sugar (optional)
paint brush
dark construction paper
cup
spoon
magnifying lens
What to Do:
- Prepare a saturated solution of Epsom Salt in hot water. Dissolve as much Epsom Salt crystals as possible in hot water (about 1/2 gallon of crystals in 1 gallon of water).
- Using this solution, paint a picture onto black paper. Be generous with the solution the
more solution on the paper, the more crystals will appear!
- Allow the paper to dry and notice the crystals that form.
- Observe the crystals up close with a magnifying lens. What shapes are they?
- Make solutions with other crystals, as sugar or salt. Paint pictures and observe those crystals that form. Compare all the different crystal pictures. How are they alike or different?
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